The language learning app Duolingo has become one of the most trusted sources for people to improve their language skills. With lessons in over 20 languages through short games and challenges, Duolingo has something to offer to all ages and language ability levels.
But it isn’t the right solution for everyone—and that’s okay! There are plenty of other completely free language learning apps out there for you to try.
So, here are the best free alternatives to Duolingo.
Why Use a Free Duolingo Alternative?
Let’s start with why you might want to use a Duolingo alternative.
Duolingo is completely free, which is amazing. Although the company experimented with using in-app purchases, such as the poorly received health bar and gems, these are now long gone. The introduction of these pay-to-progress restrictions saw many users leave Duolingo.
Now the intrusive payments are gone, why would you use a Duolingo alternative?
For one, the depth of the Duolingo courses. Duolingo claims that “34 hours of Duolingo are equivalent to a full university semester of language education,” complete with a supporting study [PDF].
The suggestion implies that Duolingo is more effective than a college language course, which would cost more, take longer, and require you to relocate.
Retired language professor Steven Sacco put the theory to the test.
Sacco studied Swedish on the Duolingo app for 300 hours (most introductory Swedish college courses require around 150 hours coursework, so he doubled that), and then took UCLA’s Elementary Swedish final exam. What happened?
Despite the 300 hours study, despite Sacco’s history of immersion with language and linguistics, he took home an F.
This is one of the main criticisms of Duolingo. It presents itself as a way of learning a language when it is a tool you should use as part of a wider learning experience.
I’m not knocking Duolingo. I use it myself. But it isn’t the only free language learning tool available.
1. Online Communities
One of the best ways to learn a new language is to surround yourself with other people who have similar goals. Online communities of language learners are fantastic resources to learn tips and tricks about effective language learning, practice speaking with native speakers, and find out about other great learning opportunities online and offline.
Fluent in 3 Months
This very active forum offers language learners a place to practice their writing skills in any language they choose, connect with language partners, post information about their language learning journey, and learn from the success of others.
/r/LanguageLearning
Like most communities on Reddit, this subreddit is a mishmash of topics and discussions. Many posts recommend resources for continued language learning, share personal accomplishments, or pose questions to the almost 100,000 community members.
The Polyglot Club
This free language exchange community focuses on getting language off of the page and into the conversation. The site offers opportunities for video chatting or in-person meetups, as well as free lessons and corrections by native speakers.
2. Rhino Spike
If you have difficulty “hearing” the native language as you read it, this site can be a lifesaver. You can use the recordings that are already online to hear how different accents sound in your target language while reading the accompanying transcription. You can also submit your own texts for native speakers to read and record your own voice for others seeking help.
3. Mango Languages
If you do want a game-style online language learning platform, consider Mango Languages. This program is available for free through many library systems and offers language learning opportunities for over 70 languages.
The program is intuitive to use and prioritizes culturally and conversationally relevant language skills. Furthermore, Mango recognizes that you cannot make it to the library every day. Once you begin a course, you can use your library login with the Mango Languages iOS and Android apps. That way, you can continue learning at home.
4. The Yojik Website
While this site isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option on this list, it’s hard to beat the quality of its resources. Courses in the public domain intended for training the Foreign Service Institute, the Defence Language Institute, and the Peace Corps offer PDF instructional guides in numerous languages and dialects.
With some digging, you can also access multiple audio files and training materials.